Inclosed switch construction.



C. D. PLATT.

INCLOSED SW|TCH CONS-TRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 15. 1915.

1, 170,990. Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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C. D. PLATT.

INCLOSED SWITCH CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. cLARENGE D PIiATT, 0F BRIDGEPORT, CONNECZIIGUTIJ.

INCLOSED SWITCH CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

Application filed. July 15, 1915. Serie'l No. 39,966.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE DQPLA'rr, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Bridgeport, Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Inclosed Switch Construction, of which the following is a specification.

The main object of my invention is to provide a box or inclosure for a switch construction, the parts being arranged and constructed so that the switch may be operated when the box is closed and so that the switch may be locked in the open position when the box is closed.

Another object is to prevent the opening of the box when the switch is in. its closed position.

Another object is to provide a simple and reliable construction which be conveniently operated.

In the preferred form as h :ein shown, the switch proper has a pivoted blade member and is mounted within a box having a hinged cover. An outer U-shaped handle is pivoted in the sides of the box and connected. by a U-shaped frame on the interior to the switch blade through the medium of an insulating member. The ends of the U- shaped members are secured to disks located in bearings in the sides of the box in alinement with thepivot of the switch blade. The cover of the box may be locked closed with the switch open so as to prevent the switch from being closed. When the outer handle is not locked the switch may be operated with the box closed but the outer handle in closing the switch is brought across the cover so that the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened.

Figure 1, is a front View of the construction embodying the improvements of my invention, the cover being shown closed and the switch handle locked in the open circuit position. dotted lines the position of the outer handle when the switch is in its closed circuit position. Fig. 2, is a front view of the construction with the cover open and the switch in its open circuit position. Fig. 3, is an enlarged sectional view showing the method of supporting the outer handle in the side wall of the box. Fig. 4, is a vertical sectional view of the construction showing the switch in its closed circuit osition. This view also shows in dotted ms the cover at l? and provided with a pe This figure also shows in.

open and the switch in its open circuit I osition. Fig. 5, is a perspective view 0 the operating handle and the connections to the switch blade.

The switch construction proper may be of any satisfactory type. In this case it consists of the pivoted blades 10 and the stationary contacts 11., These together with the usual safety devices or i'use plugs 12 are mounted on an insulating base 13 and pro vided with suitable terminals for connection to the main and branch circuits as usual.

The parts are mounted in the box of screws such as 15. The cov is hin CO E24 Pg Qe e ated 1 adapted when the cover is closed to lie side of the perforated lug 19 on the body 0 the box so as to receive the hasp suitable lock 20.

The switch is operated by means a frame consisting of. the inner t -shaped member 21 and the outer U-shaped member 22. The ends of these U-shaped members are secured to disks 23 for instance by means of rivets such as 2% and the disks are mounted in circular openings in the side walls of the boxin line with the pivotal supports of he blades 10. lhe inner member 21 is connected by the member 25 to the insulating bar 26 which connects the ends of the blades 10. The twisted cross bar part 27 of the outer U-shaped member 22 forms a convenient handle for operation of the switch from the exterior of the box.

It will be noted from the foregoing that when the box is closed and the switch is in its closed circuit position, the cover'cannot be opened because of the cross bar 27 which acts as a guard. This prevents the opening of the box and tampering with the switch and the possibility of accident when current is flowing through the parts.

When it is desired to prevent tampering with the switch or removal of safety devices, the cover may be locked closed.

\Vhen it is desired to preventany one from closingthe switch and using current, the switch is opened and locked open by passing the hasp of the look through a perforation 28 in the switch handle or by simply engaging the switch handle beneath the look, as shown in Fig. 1.

The method of supporting the handle in the'sides of the box is inexpensive and makes 4 be bent or thrown outof commission, even by rough handling.

By extending the edges of the members 21 and 22 beyond the rims of the bearing disks 23, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, said disks are held against being displaced inwardly or outwardly in the bearing openings in which they are seated.

hat I claim is 1. In combination, a switch having a pivoted switch blade, a casing inclosing said switch and having openings in the opposite walls thereof in line with the pivot. of the pivoted switch blade, relatively flat disks rotatably engaged in said openings, a U-' shaped member inside the casing having side arms connected by a cross bar, the ends of said side arms being-secured in engagement with the inner relatively flat sides of the rotatable disks and thereby preventing outward displacement of said disks in the openings in which they are seated, a connection between the cross bar and the pivoted switch blade, an operating U-shaped member outside the casing having sides connected by a cross bar, the ends of said Sides being secured to the outer relatively flat surfaces of the rotatable disks, and thereby preventing inward displacement of said disks in the openings in which they are seated, and said cross bar extending-across the front face of the switch casing and serving as a handle for operating the switch.

2. The combination of a switch, an inelosure therefor having a pivoted cover, an external operating handle for said switch, said inclosure and cover having holes adapted to be brought into alinement by the closing of the switch inclosure, a locking device insertible into said alined holes to lock the switch inclosure closed, and the said switch operating handle adapted to be thrown into a position beneath the alined holes, whereby upon the engagement of the locking device in said holes, said switch operating handle will be locked in position beneath said locking device.

The combination of a switch, an inclosure for said switch having a hinged cover, an external handle for operating said switch, said inclosure and cover having lugs adapted to be brought into alinement by the closing of the switch inclosure, and a locking device engageable with said alined lugs,

and with the operating handle to lock the inclosure closed and the switch in the position to which it has been thrown by the operating handle.

4. The combination of a switch, a casing inclosing said switch having a bearing opening in one wall thereof, a relatively flat disk 'rotatably engaged in said bearing 0 ening,

a switch operating member inside t e casing secured in fiat engagement with the inner relatively flat-face of the disk and ex-- tending beyond the rim of said disk to thereby prevent outward displacement of said disk in the opening in which it is seated, and a switch operating handle outside the casing secured in flat engagement with the relatively fiat outer face of the disk and extending beyond the rim of said disk to thereby prevent inward displacement of said disk in the opening in which it is seated.

5. The combination of a switch, an inclosure therefor having a pivoted cover, an external operating handle for said switch, said box, said cover and said handle having holes adapted to be brought into alinement for locking the box closed and the switch in open circuit position.

CLARENCE D. PLATT. Witnesses:

' GEORGE N. SEARS,

Cnms'ry NELSON. 

